The advances in the manipulation of the genetic
code or DNA and other biomolecules have pushed the development
of biotechnology forward. It's potential impact on society is
enormous. Different fields such as agriculture, health, and manufacturing
are being transformed at an accelerated rate by this new discipline.
In Puerto Rico, the height of biotechnology is noticeable in the
pharmaceutical industry. Given the obvious potential from biotechnology
for Puerto Rico, the Arecibo and Barranquitas campuses from the Inter
American University System have planned to add a Bachelors Degree
in Biotechnology as part of the curriculum for the Department of
Natural Sciences. To achieve this goal, both campuses have established
an alliance through the Strengthen Science Through Biotechnology
project. This project is sponsored by a proposal submitted to US
Department of Agriculture (USDA) under the Hispanic-Serving Institutions
Education Grants program, with a budget of $297,329.00.

The project will be active from September 2003 until September 2005. It involves
implementing the BS in Biotechnology at the Arecibo and Barranquitas campuses
of the Inter American University of Puerto Rico. The program's objectives:

Implement the BS in Biotechnology at the Inter American University
of Puerto Rico Barranquitas & Arecibo Campuses.

Provide professional training activities for the faculty in
order to develop the skills in biotechnology and molecular biology.

Improve the infrastructure of the Biology laboratories by acquiring
new equipment to strengthen the knowledge of biotechnology and
molecular biology.